TikToker Decries Kidnap, Threat To Life By Armed Gang In Imo State Claiming To Be 'Tiger Base' Policemen

A Nigerian content creator and businessman, John Ndubuisi Ezeh, has raised the alarm of alleged threat to his life, alleging that he was kidnapped, beaten, robbed and assaulted by a group of armed men in Owerri, Imo State, who claimed to be operatives of the police tactical unit known as Tiger Base.

Ezeh, a native of Dimagu Autonomous Community in Isiekenesi, Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State, narrated his ordeal to Sahara Reporters, alleging that the incident occurred on April 28, 2025, during a sit-at-home order in the South-East.

He alleged that he was livestreaming on TikTok while on his way to his laundry shop and to meet his brother at E29 Hotel along Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, when two men suddenly dragged him out of a vehicle around the Road Traffic/Fire Service area and forced him into a Sienna vehicle.

According to him, five men and a woman, tied to the back seat, were inside the vehicle, while another person, including a baby, was also allegedly being held captive inside the car.

Ezeh said his attackers demanded that he take them to his house, but he refused and challenged them to identify themselves and take him to the police or military if he had committed any offence.

“I asked them who they are, and told them to take me to the police or the army if I committed any crime against the law,” he said.

He noted that the men subsequently took him to his laundry shop, where they beat him, destroyed property and stole money and electronic devices.

Ezeh alleged that his attackers stole N237,000 from him, alongside an iPhone 14 Pro Max, a Samsung phone, gold jewellery and the phones belonging to his workers.

He also claimed that his attackers recorded the assault without his consent and later circulated the video online.

“They took me to my laundry shop, shot sporadically into the air with their AK-47 rifle thereby scaring people away and I managed to escape with various degrees of injuries,” Ezeh alleged.

“They took all my money, N237,000, plus my iPhone 14 Pro Max and Samsung, my gold, and also took my workers’ phones. They destroyed my shop, beat me and videoed me unaware.”

The content creator said he managed to escape from his attackers and immediately reported the incident to the Imo State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Owerri, and that he also said he petitioned the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja.

“The suspect equally on May 5, 2025, dropped a note in my laundry shop threatening to kill me and bury me without a trace if I should report the matter to the Police or any other security agency,” he alleged.

According to Ezeh, one of the men he identified was Victor Chinagorom Uzogara, popularly known as “Omobaexchange2,” whom he accused of being part of the alleged attack.

“The said Victor Chinagorom Uzogara, a known fraudster and online bully expert who specializes in defaming the character of his victims together with his gang members, severally threatened to deal with me,” he said.

He claimed that the police subsequently invited Uzogara, but that the suspect fled.

Ezeh further alleged that the gang members claimed to be operatives of Tiger Base, a police tactical formation in Owerri.

“They have given him an invitation and he is still running with the people. They claim to be from Tiger Base,” Ezeh told Sahara Reporters.

He called on the Imo State Commissioner of Police and other security authorities to investigate the allegation and determine whether any police officers were involved.

“Let them question the Tiger Base. Let them fish out those who are involved in kidnapping me,” he said.

He also alleged that he suffered serious injuries during the incident, including losing a tooth after he was allegedly attacked again while attempting to identify one of the suspects.

“I have been threatened in so many ways, and I’m also protecting my life. They beat me,” he said.

Ezeh alleged that one of the suspects he identified, Uzogara, had been threatening him before and after the alleged kidnapping.

Petition To Imo Police, IGP

Ezeh said that on January 13, 2026, Ezeh petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, on alleged threat to life, unlawful possession of firearms, attempted murder, assault, arson and breach of public peace against Uzogara, another man he only identified as Derek, also known as “Legal Means,” and other alleged members of the armed gang.

In the petition, Ezeh recounted the April 28, 2025, incident, adding that Derek continued to threaten to kidnap him if he reported the matter to the Police or any security agency.

Earlier, on May 14, 2025, Ezeh, through his lawyers, Leicester & Co. Attorneys and Solicitors, also petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, the IGP Monitoring Unit and the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the FCID in Abuja over the alleged incident.

He particularly accused Uzogara and his alleged gang members of threat to life, unlawful possession of firearms, kidnapping, attempted murder, assault, arson and breach of public peace.

Ezeh said he had decided to approach the Inspector-General of Police because of alleged concerns about possible compromise at the local level at the Imo State Police Command.

Sahara Reporters obtained a letter where the Inspector-General of Police formally acknowledged Ezeh’s petition and directed the Force Intelligence Department (FID) of the Nigeria Police Force to act on the allegations.

In the letter dated May 16, 2025, with reference number CB:7000/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.830/28, the Inspector-General’s office forwarded a copy of the May 14 petition by Leicester & Co. Attorneys to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Intelligence Department.

The letter, signed by CSP Bukola Y. Kuti, Principal Staff Officer III to the Inspector-General of Police, was addressed to the DIG, FID, at the FID Complex, Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja.

It was titled, “RE: THREAT TO LIFE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FIREARMS, KIDNAP, ATTEMPTED MURDER, ASSAULT, ARSON, AND BREACH OF PUBLIC PEACE...”

The letter stated that the Inspector-General had directed the Force Intelligence Department to handle the matter in accordance with existing police directives on investigations.

“I forward herewith a copy of a letter dated 14th May, 2025 received from Leicester & Co. Attorneys on the above-underlined subject and write to convey the directive of the Inspector-General of Police that you deal in line with the IGP's extant directives on investigation,” the letter stated.

The police headquarters further referenced two Police Wireless Messages — CB:4001/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.121/48, DTO: 211340/11/2024 and CB:/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.121/110, DTO: 241300/01/2025 — as the applicable directives guiding the investigation.

The communication indicated that the allegations raised by Ezeh were formally received at the office of the Inspector-General of Police and subsequently referred to the Force Intelligence Department for action.

However, after over a year and four months, Ezeh told Sahara Reporters that the Police have neither arrested the identified suspect, any of the gang members, nor taken further action on the case, while he continued to receive threats from the suspects.

Ezeh Appeals For Government Intervention

Ezeh told Sahara Reporters that he needs the urgent intervention of the Inspector-General of Police, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, military authorities and the state government before it becomes too late.

“I’m calling the attention of the police, I’m calling the attention of the Inspector-General of Police, and also the military, and the CP, Commissioner of Police in the state, and all the authorities around Nigeria. Please help,” he said.

He also appealed to members of the public to circulate the video of the alleged assault and help bring the matter to the attention of law enforcement agencies.

“Anywhere you are, the best thing you need to do for me is to make sure you share this video. Share with the authorities and help me,” he said.

Ezeh reiterated that the men who attacked him were armed and claimed to be police operatives, adding that the armed gang had allegedly kidnapped other people and urged the authorities to investigate whether the alleged gang was linked to other cases.

“There were five armed men with four pump-action guns, one small gun, and arms,” he alleged, further claiming that other victims, including two women, were being held in the Sienna vehicle at the time of his alleged abduction.

Ezeh said he had spent money pursuing the matter through the police and on attempts to track the suspects but had yet to obtain justice.

“I spent money. I have paid N150,000 to the Police for the tracking. I need justice, please,” he said.

He also appealed to the Imo State Government and security authorities to protect him, saying he remains afraid for his life.

Sahara Reporters contacted the Investigation Police Officer (IPO), Mr Ajaero, who Ezeh said is handling the case, to verify all the allegations and get the police comments on the alleged inaction on the case.

However, at the time of filing this report, Mr Ajaero neither answered calls nor responded to a message sent to him on WhatsApp.